O Rex gentium. O, King of the nations. All people await you with longing. You are the cornerstone who gathers all as one. Free the fallen human being whom you have created from earth. Come, Lord, and save us.

Today we look to God’s promise at “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God” (Isa 52,10). We read the same in the prophet Daniel’s book, in his vision that in heaven “all nations, peoples and languages shall serve” the Son of Man (Dan 7,14; see also Rev 7,9). This promise was fulfilled when the wise men from the East came to Bethlehem and paid homage to the newborn king (Matt 2,1-12) and when Simeon proclaimed the child Jesus as salvation for all people (Luke 2,31). It was fulfilled when the Risen Christ sent the apostles to all nations (Matt 20,19). It was fulfilled when the Gentiles who heard the gospel proclamation from the apostles and Paul believed and were baptized (see the accounts in the Acts of the Apostles).

How much our world needs to be gathered together as one. How much our world needs rulers who show compassion for the poor and helpless, and who create peace among nations (see Isa 9,1-6). How much each one of us needs to be freed from sin and egotism. We need to remember that we, who were created from the dust of the earth (Gen 2,7), were also made in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1,26). Come, Lord, free us that we may become who you have created us to be.